A strong earthquake has struck the Tibetan plateau region of China. CBS News reports that at least 16 people were killed when a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Tibet, and that China's national broadcaster CCTV described it as the biggest earthquake in the region in the last five years. Bernama, quoting Xinhua from Lhasa, says 16 people were killed and 32 others injured. The reports were published within the hour of my fetching the pages, so figures may change.
Casualty counts in the first hours after an earthquake are often revised as rescue teams reach remote areas and as communications are restored. The Tibetan plateau is high, sparsely populated and mountainous, which can make access difficult, particularly if roads are damaged by landslides. I have only seen the headlines and short summaries, so I do not know the exact location, the depth of the quake or the extent of damage to buildings and infrastructure.
A magnitude 7.0 quake is considered major, and the damage depends on factors such as depth, distance from towns and the quality of construction. Aftershocks are likely in the days that follow and can topple buildings that were already weakened. Authorities normally set up shelters, deliver food, water and medical supplies and check dams, roads and power lines for damage.
For people with relatives in the area, official channels and the Chinese Red Cross are the most reliable sources of information. For readers elsewhere, the event is a reminder to know the basics of earthquake safety: drop, cover and hold on during shaking, stay away from windows and heavy objects and move to open ground after the shaking stops. Watch for updated casualty figures, reports of damage to villages and any international offers of assistance.
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